Jeffrey Smith with the Dewey Citizens for Accountability says the police department has $2.85 million in inventory from the LESO program, and questions why a town of that size would need all that equipment.

"We are a 400 resident town. It's a third of a mile," he says. "We are not even sure where we could park a good amount of that stuff in that town."

The Dewey Beach Police Department says the $2.85 million figure comes from individual pricing of equipment, when in reality it could be worth much less due to quality and age. As such, the department could actually have far less in inventory value than the numbers indicate.

Smith says a recent presentation on the program failed to answer questions such as how the supplies are budgeted or where they are kept. He also alleges that some equipment-- like humvees used during flooding incidents-- are used improperly.

"The military surplus program is supposed to be used for actual law enforcement operations," he says. "Law enforcement operations do not include floods."

Commissioner Paul Bauer gave a presentation on the program earlier this month, and says he welcomes the group's request for a full state audit. But he says claims that the program was somehow kept secret from town officials simply isn't true.

"If you deposited a $35,000 check in your account, can you tell me with a straight face that you didn't know anything about it?" he says. "Of course people knew about it especially when they traded equipment."

Mayor T.J. Redefer and Bauer both say the program allows towns like Dewey Beach to acquire equipment they could otherwise never afford. He says the Dewey Citizens for Accountability's report card fails to account for some seasonal statistics.

"When you are looking at per capita rates for equipment [..] it's a little hard to use per capita in a town like Dewey Beach that grows to 30,000 in the summer and to 300 in the winter," he says.

Bauer, Redefer, and Smith all say accountability is key.

"We join them [the Dewey Citizens for Accountability] in that effort and we will be looking for everything we can find," Redefer tells WBOC. "If there is a problem within our town, people will be held accountable."

Seaford police said they arrested two people Tuesday after they allegedly tried to leave a restaurant without paying their bill. The incident escalated when one of them then fled the scene and was found armed with a bow and arrow.More

Seaford police said they arrested two people Tuesday after they allegedly tried to leave a restaurant without paying their bill. The incident escalated when one of them then fled the scene and was found armed with a bow and arrow.More

Maryland gun owners are worried about two big bills that will be discussed at the state capital next week.

House Bill 612 aims to place AR-15 HBAR rifles as a "regulated firearm." If passed by the house, the law would only grandfather in rifles purchased after October 1, 2013. Those purchased after 2013 would have to be returned.

Maryland gun owners are worried about two big bills that will be discussed at the state capital next week.

House Bill 612 aims to place AR-15 HBAR rifles as a "regulated firearm." If passed by the house, the law would only grandfather in rifles purchased after October 1, 2013. Those purchased after 2013 would have to be returned.

The mysterious plane crash on Wroten Island that WBOC reported back in November of 2018 is now being told publicly for the first time in 65 years.

After the original story aired, WBOC received an email from one of the previous owners of Wroten Island. After meeting with that man, Philip Inglehart and longtime friend, Michael Keyser the mystery unfolded on camera.

The mysterious plane crash on Wroten Island that WBOC reported back in November of 2018 is now being told publicly for the first time in 65 years.

After the original story aired, WBOC received an email from one of the previous owners of Wroten Island. After meeting with that man, Philip Inglehart and longtime friend, Michael Keyser the mystery unfolded on camera.